MPs: Cyber-stalking should be criminalised

Overhaul: MPs are calling for a change in law to make cyber-stalking an offence

More than 80 MPs are calling for an overhaul of stalking laws in a move that could see cyber-stalking made an offence.

The MPs, from all parties, also want police to prioritise complaints of stalking and say the crime needs to be defined in law.

Statistics released by probation union Napo today, ahead of a seminar at the Houses of Parliament, show that just 2.2% of all incidences of harassment recorded by police ended in a jail sentence.

Napo said that in 2009 there were 53,000 offences of harassment recorded by police, leading to 6,581 convictions. Out of those convicted, 18.5% were jailed, the union said.

The latest figures from the British Crime Survey showed that up to five million people experienced stalking or harassment every year, however.

A Napo spokesman said: "It is clear therefore that a very small proportion actually reach court and even fewer receive a custodial sentence."

He added: "The sentencing guidelines need to be reviewed as a matter of urgency. Many victims report that complaints are not investigated thoroughly by the police and prosecutors."

Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary Leader, is chairing the Justice Unions' Parliamentary Group seminar. Speakers will include Carol Faruqui and Tricia Bernal, who founded Protection Against Stalking after their daughters were killed. The charity's director of operations Laura Richards will also speak at the event to give guidance to MPs whose constituents are being stalked.

The Napo spokesman said stalking is a "life-changing" event in victims' lives, and added: "Stalking is not defined in law, only harassment is. The police have limited powers to enter and search premises of arrested stalkers. Cyber-stalking, which is now common, is not covered by the Protection from Harassment Act 1997."

A leaflet offering advice to MPs on the subject of stalking, both in person and over the internet, will be launched at the event.

"Just 53,000 allegations of harassment and stalking were recorded by the police in 2009. In all probability there were ten times that number of stalking incidents that actually occurred in that year.

"It is also of concern that just 2.2% of those recorded crimes resulted in a custodial sentence and 10% in a fine or conditional discharge. The rest presumably never made it to court. Stalking must be taken seriously by the police and prosecutors.

"It destroys lives and indeed can lead to loss of life. It is extremely worrying that cyber-stalking is still not an offence but is now prevalent across England and Wales."